Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility In Allentown Holds Open House

March 22, 1986|The Morning Call

Keystone Rehabilitation Systems, a new free-standing outpatient rehabilitation facility at 2030 Tilghman St., Allentown, opened its doors to the public yesterday.

Occupying about 10,000 square feet of office space, the center provides a comprehensive program for patients in need of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology or psychology on an outpatient basis.

Thomas Zavalydriga, director and licensed physical therapist, said the facility may see stroke and head trauma patients, paraplegics and people with rheumatoid arthritis or injuries from auto or industrial accidents.

Medical director is Dr. Christopher Lynch, a physiatrist (specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation) who maintains a private practice at the center.

Lynch would be an integral part of the team approach to therapy for the long-term patient at Keystone. Other referring physicians, however, also are invited to follow their patients at the center as team leaders, according to Zavalydriga.

Lynch and Zavalydriga indicated Keystone offered a new alternative for Lehigh Valley patients leaving acute-care hospitals who did not need further in-patient care.

A specially designed van will transport patients in need to and from the facility.

The center currently sees about 25 patients a day, Zavalydriga said, and with additional staff can see as many as 130 a day.

He also is considering opening a day-care program for rehabilitation patients who cannot be cared for at home during the day and do not need to be hospitalized.

Insurance coverage for services at Keystone Rehabilitation Systems, a subsidiary of an Indiana (Pa.) corporation of the same name, depends on the particular benefit plan, Zavalydriga said. Most health care plans, including Blue Cross, Blue Shield and Medicare, cover physical but not occupational therapies, he said.